If you're ever faced with the problem of not being able to find anything on a client's site about what they do (as was the case with a site I did for a jewelry designer in California), get on the tubes and research your guts out!
And never, EVER just rely on one source for your info. Make sure you double-check your facts with another credible source before setting your content in stone. There's nothing worse than writing something and having your client tell you that you've got their business or their products all wrong. That's uber-embarrassment.
Oh, come on. You know there are two things in the world that are irresistible. Babies and puppies.
Unfortunately, it's very, VERY illegal to sell babies online (and besides, Brangelina always gets to them before you do, so don't even try). But you can get these amazing puppies online from a company called Ranch Puppy! They have a list of some of the most adorable puppies, from poodles to Pomeranians and even mixed breeds.
Check them out! I dare you to look at the pics without saying "Aww!" at least once!
Trust me, we can all use a boost sometimes. You know those days. You're feeling down, dragging your knuckles and your head across the ground, about to pass out...
Those are the days when you need an energy drink. And not just any energy drink, but a power booster that won't make you crash out like the other guys' drinks. Because this one's loaded with good stuff, not tons of caffeine and sugar.
So give it a go! Pick yourself off the ground and get moving again!
Here's a trick: Make sure you choose one SEO keyword as your focal point per section.
Then build around it.
Simple? To the point? Yes, it is. And it makes more sense than throwing together a jumble of keywords into one section. By focusing your writing around that one words (and using a related term or keyword to beef up that section of content), you'll keep the section readable and be able to maintain your keyword density by eyeballing each section. If you feel there's too little, you can add your terms where appropriate. Too heavy? Either add more content or remove a use of that particular keyword to lighten up the density.
Check out this SEO site for a Florida labrador breeder to get an idea of what I mean.
As a bit of a continuation on an older blog post I had on here, I did content for a couple of cash gifting sites today.
I just kept looking at what was there, and asked myself the same question that crosses my mind whenever an MLM or cash gifting client comes up:
"Do people really join these things?"
It's weird. I'm writing content for a client that wants to convince their prospects that they can "get rich quick", or promising a "home-based business opportunity" like no other.
But hey, if people believe it, then that's their thing. Whatever floats their boat.
Anyhow, what do you do when you have to write content for clients like these?
Simple. Get yourself into your client's head, and write it as if you believe in it.
Sure, maybe you don't, but feel like you do. What would you say if you wanted someone to look into what you're selling? Make them excited about it. Hook them. Tickle their fancies.
I said fancies, not...oh, never mind!
The point is, write it as if you owned the business and you wanted people to come see what you have to offer.
If there's any one thing to always remember, it's the two words you'll find on the first page of the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy":
"Don't Panic!"
I mean the book WITHIN the book, of course, but that's beside the point. You might be worried about having too many keywords in your content, or maybe not enough. You want to target that 1-to-3% limit. But how do you do it?
Figure it this way: Get every keyword you want to fit into your SEO project at least once to three times per 100 words. That's about 1 to 3 usages per 5-sentence paragraph, roughly.
If you can keep that in mind, you should have no trouble keeping yourself within that limit.
Seriously, do people really join these?
I was writing up content for another MLM, and it always amazes me to think: How many people really believe this stuff?
"Get rich now!"
"Make money online!"
"Do nothing, and be wealthy!"
It goes back to the whole "if it looks too good to be true" thing. But people still flock to them.
Do these really work? And I don't mean the systems themselves. I want to know if that many people actually fall for this type of hooey. Are we, as a people, really that gullible?
*Shrug*
When you write content, what should you remember?
Yes, outside of structure.
OK, OK, and making it readable.
Keywords. Very good keywords.
Because what happens when you have keywords and keyterms that are way too generic?
Anyone? Anyone?
Yes, that's right. It doesn't rank. And your SEO gets lost in the mire of the internet.
So, when writing content, make sure you pick keywords and keyterms that boost your (or your client's) business. Try to find specific ones that are tailored to what it is the business does.
And now, this piece of SEO poetry:
You think haiku is
A hard form of poetry,
Compare SEO.
Thank you, thank you. Please, no autographs.
Anyhow, there's a point to that. Really.
There are tough forms of writing out there. SEO's hard, but if it's done well, the results can be phenomenal. Just keep practicing at it, like any form of writing (say, haiku). More writing often makes a better writer.
Now, for my next trick...an SEO villanelle. Wish me luck. God help me...
What's the worst thing you can do with your writing?
No, it's not starting your work with, "'twas a dark and stormy night."
It's over-thinking yourself.
Sometimes, it's just best to let the words naturally flow from your brain to your hands, then to the keys before you think too much about what you're typing. Often, you find it looks better on-screen than you figured it would. Sometimes, you don't. But it's always best to get a visual feel for what you want to say so you can tweak it or leave it, depending on how you feel once you can actually see it in front of you.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a story to write.
*Cracks his knuckles*
'twas a dark and stormy night...
